Empty switch actuating coin feeler for money-actuated devices



April 28, 1964 EMPTY SWITCH ACTUATING COIN FEELER FOR MONEY-I-ACTUATED DEVICES Filed Sept. 25. 1961 F. T. VACCARO 2 Sheets-Sheet l AT ORA/EV April 28, 1964 F. 1'. VACCARO 3,130,736

EMPTY SWITCH ACTUATING com FEELER FOR MONEY-ACTUATED DEVICES Filed Sept. 25. 1961 2 sheets sheet 2 am 4e 22 INVENTOR FRANC/ST mac/m0 ar y AT RNEV United States Patent 3,130,736 EMPTY SWITCH ACTUATING COIN FEELER FOR MONEY-ACTUATED DEVICES Francis T. Vaccaro, Pagedale, Mo., assignor to National Rejectors, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Sept. 25, 1961, Ser. No. 140,360 6 Claims. (Cl. 133-5) This invention relates to improvements in money-actuated devices. More particularly, this invention relates to improvements in money-actuated devices which hold coins in tubular coin reservoirs.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved money-actuated device which holds coins in a tubular coin reservoir.

This invention is an improvement upon the coin reservoirs and feelers shown and described in Edward L. Heim et al. application Serial No. 35,823 for Coin Separators which was filed June 13, 1960.

It is frequently desirable, in money-actuated devices, to hold coins in tubular coin reservoirs and to dispense those coins by moving coin ejectors relative to the exits of those coin reservoirs. It is also desirable to provide empty switches adjacent those coin reservoirs and to provide feelers that can extend into those coin reservoirs and that can actuate those empty switches whenever the uppermost coins in those coin reservoirs fall below predetermined levels within those coin reservoirs. In recognition of those facts, it has become customary to equip the coin reservoirs of money-actuated devices with feelers that can move into those coin reservoirs and that can actuate the empty switches adjacent those coin reservoirs whenever the uppermost coins in those coin reservoirs fall below predetermined levels within those coin reservoirs.

The coins which are held within a tubular coin reservoir should lie on their sides; and yet the coins which are introduced into the usual coin reservoir are in an upright position as they enter that coin reservoir. This means that the inserted coins must fall downwardly through the coin reservoir, must strike the uppermost coin within the coin reservoir, and must then tilt over and come to rest upon their sides. Occasionally a coin will tend to stand on edge after it engages the uppermost coin within the coin reservoir; and, whenever the feeler extends into the coin reservoir, that feeler can accentuate that tendency of the coin, as by permitting that coin to come to rest in the space between that feeler and the interior of that coin reservoir. As a result, whenever the feeler extends into the coin reservoir, more coins will tend to stand on edge within the coin reservoir than will be the case when the feeler is held out of the coin reservoir. It would be undesirable for any coin to stand on edge within the coin reservoir, because such a coin could not be dispensed from the coin reservoir and would block the dispensing of any coins thereabove. It would be desirable to provide a money-actuated device with a feeler for the coin reservoir thereof which would keep coins from standing on edge within the space between that feeler and the interior of the coin reservoir. The present invention provides a money-actuated device with such a feeler; and it is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a money-actuated device with a feeler, for the coin reservoir thereof which will keep coins from standing on edge within the space between that feeler and the interior of the coin reservoir.

The feeler provided by the present invention has a coinintercepting portion which projects outwardly from both sides of the coin-engaging portion of that feeler. That coin-intercepting portion keeps coins from passing downwardly into the spaces between the feeler and the interior 3,130,736 Patented Apr. 28, 1964 of the coin reservoir; and, in doing so, that coin-intercepting portion facilitates the tilting of coins over onto their sides. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a feeler with a coin-intercepting portion which projects outwardly from both sides of the coinengaging portion of that feeler.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from an examination of the drawing and accompanying description.

In the drawing and accompanying description a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described but it is to be understood that the drawing and accompanying description are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the invention and that the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

In the drawing,

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary rear view of one form of change-making device that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional plan view through a portion of the change-making device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the portion of the change-making device shown in FIG. 2, and it is taken along the broken plane indicated by the line 3-3 in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is another sectional view through the portion of the change-making device shown in FIG. 2, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 44 in FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the lower portions of the coin reservoirs used in the change-making device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the feelers used in the change-making device of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 7 is a sectional plan view through the changemaking device of FIG. 1 and it shows portions of the coin passageways and coin reservoirs of that changemaking device.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeral 146 denotes the base for the change-making device shown in FIG. 1; and that base is preferably made as a die casting. That base has a vertically-directed opening 148 through it, and that opening accommodates the lower end of a tubular coin reservoir 138. A shoulder 150 extends inwardly from the bottom of the opening 148, and the lower end of the coin reservoir 138 rests upon that shoulder. A locating boss 152 is provided adjacent one side of the opening 148, and a second locating boss 154 is provided adjacent the opposite side of that opening. Those bosses facilitate rapid and easy insertion of the lower end of the coin reservoir tube 139 into the opening 148. A vertically directed opening 156 is provided in the base 146, and that opening accommodates the lower end of a tubular coin reservoir 140. A shoulder 158 extends inwardly from the bottom of the opening 156, and the lower end of the coin reservoir 140 rests upon that shoulder. A locating boss 160 is disposed adjacent one side of the opening 156, and that locating boss coacts with the locating boss 154 to facilitate rapid and easy insertion of the lower end of the coin reservoir 140 into the opening 156.

The numeral 139 denotes a vertically-extending slot that is provided in the rear of the coin reservoir 138 adjacent the bottom of that coin reservoir. The numeral 137 denotes an arcuate slot in the coin reservoir 138 which extends outwardly from the opposite sides of the slot 139 and which extends upwardly from a point approximately midway between the upper and lower ends of the slot 139. The numeral 141 denotes a vertically-directed slot that is provided in the rear of the coin reservoir 140 adjacent the bottom of that coin reservoir. The numeral 143 denotes an arcuate slot in the coin reservoir 140 which extends outwardly from opposite sides of the slot 141 and which extends upwardly from a point approximately midway between the upper and lower ends of the slot 141. The slots 137, 139, 141 and 143 are shown particularly by FIG. 5.

The numeral 162 denotes an upwardly-extending boss which is located adjacent the front edge of the base 146, as shown by FIG; 2; and that boss is generally U-shaped in cross section so it can accommodate a horizontallydirected pivot 164. An upwardly extending boss 166 is provided on the base 146 at a point to the right of the boss 162, as those bosses are viewed in FIG. 2; and the boss 166 acts as a stop for the right-hand end of the pivot 164 during the assembling of that pivot with the boss 162. An upwardly-extending boss 168 is provided on the base 146 adjacent the left-hand end of the rear edge of that base, as that base is viewed in FIG. 2; and that boss is adjacent the lower end of an accepted coin chute 136. The boss 168 has an opening, not shown, therein which accommodates a threaded shank of a screw, not shown, that passes through the right-hand wall of the accepted coin chute 136; and that fastener fixedly secures the lower end of the accepted coin chute 136 to the boss 168, and thus to the base 146.

The numeral 172 denotes a boss which extends upwardly from the base 146, and that boss is disposed to the right of the boss 168, as those bosses are viewed in FIG. 2. A boss 170, which is similar to the boss 172, is disposed to the right of the boss 172. A broader and taller boss 173 extends upwardly from the base 146, and that boss is disposed forwardly of the bosses 170 and 172. The boss 173 has a horizontally directed, U-shaped groove in the top thereof; and the axis of that groove is parallel to a line defined by the bosses 170 and 172.

The numeral 176 denotes a notch in the front edge of the base 146, as shown by FIG. 2; and that notch is disposed intermediate the coin reservoir 140 and the right-hand end of the base 146. A pivot 178 is fixedly secured to the base 146, adjacent the boss 166, and that pivot is preferably a pin which has a horizontally-directed flange or shoulder 179 thereon. The lower end of the pivot 178 extends downwardly through an opening in the base 146 and is then riveted over to fixedly secure that pivot to that base.

The numeral 180 denotes a slot which is formed in the base 146 and which is contiguous with the opening 148; and that slot extends rearwardly from that opening, as shown by FIG. 2. A ridge 182 is provided on the under face of the base 146 adjacent the opening 148 and the slot 180, and that ridge defines a shallow arcuate recess which is slightly wider than the diameter of a dime. A generally similar ridge is provided on the under face of the base 146 adjacent the opening 156, and that ridge defines a shallow arcuate recess which is slightly wider than the diameter of a nickel. Those ridges extend rearwardly from the openings 148 and 156.

The numeral 188 generally denotes a coin-ejecting plate; and that plate has an opening adjacent the lefthand end thereof, as that plate is viewed in FIG. 1. That opening accommodates a tubular boss, not shown, on the under face of the base 146. The plate 188 also has an opening 198 which is selectively disposable in register with the opening 156 in the base 146 and which can receive nickels from the coin reservoir 140.

A downwardly-offset, coin-supporting area 200 is provided on the plate 188; and that area is conveniently formed by a punching operation. The sides of the coinsupporting area 200 are arcuate in plan, and they are not truly vertical in elevation. The numeral 202 denotes arcuate openings which are formed in the plate 188 adjacent one end of the coin-receiving area 200, and those openings are vertically-directed. Those openings are desirable because they facilitate the provision of precisely vertical surfaces 204 that constitute a coin-driving shoulder for the plate 188; and they also are desirable because they keep dirt fromfbuilding up adjacent the surfaces 204 to the point where that dirt could cause dimes to ride up and over those surfaces. The plate 188 also has a narrow, downwardly-offset area 206 which is contiguous with the downwardly-offset, coin-receiving area 200. The narrow area 206 is arcuate and extends forwardly from the said one end of the coin-receiving area 200.

The numeral 214 generally denotes the bottom plate for the change-making device of FIG. 1; and that bottom plate has a downwardly-offset area 200 which is arcuate in configuration and which is adjacent the coin storage tube 138. That downwardly-offset area is in register with, and is wide enough to accommodate, the downwardlyoffset, coin-supporting area 200 of the coin-ejecting plate 188. The bottom plate 214 underlies and helps support the coin-ejector plate 188 while permitting ready movement of that plate. Fasteners 222 extend upwardly through openings in the bottomplate 214 and seat in threaded openings in the base 146 to maintain that bottom plate and the coin-ejecting plate 188 in assembled relation with that base. One of those fasteners will extend into the tubular boss which serves as a pivot for the coinejecting plate 188.

The numeral 224 denotes an elongated generally L- shaped arm which has an elongated hub 226 at the lefthand end thereof, as that arm is viewed in FIG. 2. That hub telescopes downwardly over the upper end of the pivot 178, and a C-washer 228 is disposed within a groove adjacent the top of that pivot to prevent accidental separation of the arm 224 from that pivot. A pin 230 is carried by the free end of the arm 224; and that pin projects upwardly and downwardly from the upper and lower faces, respectively, of that arm. The upwardlyprojecting portion of the pin 230 rotatably supports a roller 232; and a C-washer 234 is seated within a groove adjacent the top of that upwardly-projecting portion to prevent accidental separation of that roller from that pin. The downwardly-projecting portion of the pin 230 extends through an opening in the coin-ejecting plate 188 and lodges within a slot in the bottom plate 214.

A helical extension spring 236 has the forward end thereof secured to the arm 224 and has the rearward end thereof secured to the housing of a motor 239. That spring biases the arm 224 for clockwise rotation about the pivot 178 in FIG. 2, but it can yield to permit rotation of that arm in the counter clockwise direction.

The motor 239 has a geared-down output shaft, not shown; and that shaft projects forwardly from the housing for that motor. A cam, not shown, is mounted on that output shaft and can engage the roller 232 on the arm 224 to determine the position of that arm. That cam also determines the position of a lever 264 which is shown in FIG. 1, and that lever has an arm 278 which extends to the left in FIG. 1 .and which has a pin 280 secured to it.

The change-making device of FIG. 1 has three accepted coin passageways therein, and two of those coin passageways are shown in FIG. 7. Specifically, an accepted passageway for nickels is defined by a Wall 301, a wall 303, and guide portions 307 and 309; and one outlet for that coin passageway overlies and is in register with the coin reservoir 140. An accepted passageway for dimes is defined by a wall 305, the wall 303, and guide portions 311 and 313; and one outlet for that coin passageway overlies and is in register with the coin reservoir 138. The other outlets for those coin passageways are in communication with the accepted coin chute 136; and if any nickels or dimes are unable to enter the coin reservoirs 140 and 138, respectively, because those coin reservoirs are full, those nickels or dimes will then enter the accepted coin chute 136 and be conducted to the cash box. A wall 335 coacts with part of the wall 305 and with guide portions, not shown, to define the passage- Way for accepted quarters, and the lower end of that passageway is contiguous with the accepted coin chute 136. The guide portions between the various walls 301, 303, 305 and 335 can be parts of plates interposed between those walls or can be made integral with those walls, as desired.

The base 146 and its bosses, notches, openings and ridges, the pivot 178, the coin-ejecting plate 183, the bottom plate 214, the generally L-shaped arm 224, the spring 236, the motor 239, the lever 264, and the three accepted coin passageways are either identical, or very similar, to corresponding components in the device shown and described in the said application. A more detailed description of the structure and operation of the base 146 and its bosses, notches, openings and ridges, the pivot 178, the coin-ejecting plate 188, the bottom plate 214, the generally L-shaped arm 224, the spring 236, the motor 239, the lever 264, and the three accepted coin passageways can be found in the said application.

The numeral 290 in FIG. 1 denotes a double throw switch which is supported adjacent the wall 335, and that switch has a switch arm 292 which extends to the left. That switch arm has a forwardly-directed portion which extends into an arcuate slot 294 in the wall 335 and into corresponding arcuate slots in the walls 305, 363 and 391 to span the quarter passageway, the dime passageway, and the nickel passageway. The numeral 296 in FIG. 1 denotes a second double throw switch which is disposed a short distance below the switch 290; and the switch 296 has a switch actuator 293 that extends to the left. That switch actuator has a sharp, re-entrant bend Z99 therein, and the free end of that switch actuator is bent forwardly to extend through the arcuate slot 300 and into the quarter passageway.

A pin 332 extends rearwardly from the wall 3435; and a bracket 334 has an opening which snugly telescopes over that pin. That bracket has a second opening which holds a short cylindrical permanent magnet 306. That magnet is in register with the actuator 298 of the switch 296, and the magnetic field of that magnet can hold the actuator 298 in its lower position whenever a quarter has engaged the actuator 298 and has moved it downwardly through the slot 390.

The pin 280 on the arm 278 of the lever 264 will be adjacent the re-entrant bend 299 of the switch actuator 298, whenever that switch actuator is in its lower position. A quarter will move the switch actuator 298 down adjacent the permanent magnet 306 to enable the switch 296 to energize the motor 239; and then subsequently the cam on that motor will cause the coin-ejecting plate 188 to move and will cause the lever 264 to move. Toward the end of the cycle of operation of the change-making device, the lever 264 will rotate a short distance in the counter clockwise direction in FIG. 1 to cause the pin 280 to engage the re-entrant bend 299 of the switch actuator 298 and to move that switch actuator far enough away from the magnet 306 to free that switch actuator from the magnetic field of that magnet. The returning spring within the switch 296 will then cause the coinreceiving portion of that switch actuator to move to the upper end of the slot 399; and at such time the movable contact of that switch will again be in its normal position.

The numeral 313 denotes a pivot that can be disposed within the groove in the top of the boss 173, which projects upwardly from the base 146 adjacent the openings 148 and 156 in that base; and that pivot will lie horizontally in that groove and will project outwardly beyond both ends of that groove. A generally W-shaped spring 329 overlies the top of that pivot; and the arms of that spring coact with the groove in the boss 173 to confine that pivot while permitting slight vertical movement of either end of that pivot relative to that boss. A fastener 322 telescopes through an opening defined by the spring 320 and seats in a threaded opening in the boss 173; and that fastener will prevent accidental separation of that spring from that boss. Two ears 324 project upwardly from the upper face of the boss 173, and those ears will hold the arms of the springs 320 in position where they definitely overlie the pivot 318.

The numeral 360 generally denotes a feeler that can be used to feel for the presence of nickels within the coin storage tube 149; and a second feeler 376 is used to feel for the presence of dimes in the coin storage tube 138. The feeler 360 has a hub 362, and that hub is telescoped over the pivot 318 and will guide rotation of that feeler relative to that pivot. A counter weight 364 is provided on the feeler 366, and an ear 366 is provided adjacent the upper end of that feeler; and that ear projects at a right angle from the plane of that feeler. An opening 368 is provided adjacent the lower end of that feeler, and a rivet 379 holds a generally T-shaped wire 372 so a portion thereof extends through the opening 368. The wire 372 has portions thereof extending outwardly at right angles from both sides of the feeler 360. The counter weight 364 biases the convex nickel-engaging portion 369 of the feeler 360 for movement into the coin reservoir through the slot 141, but the weight of a nickel bearing against that convex nickel-engaging portion can overcome the bias provided by the counter weight 364. The feeler 376 has a hub 378, and that hub is telescoped over the pivot 318 and will guide rotation of that feeler relative to that pivot. the feeler 376, and an car 382 is provided adjacent the upper end of that feeler; and that ear projects at a right angle from the plane of that feeler. The ear 382 is spaced a greater distance from the hub 378 than the ear 366 is spaced from the hub 362, as shown particularly by FIGS. 1 and 2. As a result, the ear 382 partially overlies the ear 366. An opening 381 is provided adjacent the lower end of the feeler 376, and a rivet 379 holds a generally T-shaped wire 334 so a portion thereof extends through the opening 381. The wire 384 has portions thereof extending outwardly at right angles from both sides of the feeler 376. The counter weight 380 biases the convex dime-engaging portion 385 of the feeler 376 for movement into the coin reservoir 138 through the slot 139, but the weight of a dime bearing against that convex dimeengaging portion can overcome the bias provided by the counter weight 330.

A switch 334 is mounted on a flange 333 that extends rearwardly from the wall 335, as shown by FIG. 1; and that switch constitutes the empty switch for the changemaking device of FIG. 1. That switch has an actuator 337 which extends downwardly from the pivot of that switch, and the lower end of that switch is adjacent the ears 366 and 382, respectively, of the feelers 360 and 376. Either of the ears 366 or 382 can rotate far enough to cause the actuator 377 to move far enough to actuate the switch 334; and this means that if the supply of dimes gets too low or if the supply of nickels gets too low, the switch 334 will be actuated.

The numeral 340 in FIG. 2 denotes a generally J- shaped lever; and that lever has two ears which extend downwardly from one end of that lever. Each of those ears has an opening therein, and those openings accommodate the ends of the pivot 164. A screw 345 is seated in a threaded socket in the top of the boss 162, and the head of that screw will overlie and hold the pivot 164. In doing so, the head of that screw will fixedly hold that pivot in assembled relation with the boss 162 and will prevent accidential separation of the lever 340 from the base 146.

The free end of the lever 340 is denoted by the numeral 344 and it is vertically-directed; and that free end is in register with, and extends downwardly into, the slot in the base 146. The bottom face of the free end 344 will normally rest upon, and be supported by, the downwardly-offset, coin-receiving area 200 of the coin-ejecting plate 188. The lever 344 will be identical to the similarlynumbered lever in the said application.

A counter weight 330 is provided on When the various components of the change-making device of FIG. 1 are in their normal positions, the cam on the output shaft of the motor 239 will cause the coinejecting plate 188 to have the nickel-receiving opening 198 thereof in register with the opening 156 and to have the downwardly-offset, coin-receiving area 2% thereof in register with the opening 14-8. A nickel will be lodged within the nickel-receiving opening 1% in the coin-ejecting plate 188 and a dime will be resting upon the downwardly-offset, coin-receiving area 200 of that plate. The free end of the lever 344 will have its bottom face resting upon the downwardly-otfset, coin-receiving area 2% of the plate 188.

Enough nickels will be in the coin reservoir 140 to keep the convex nickel-engaging portion of the feeler 369 from entering that coin reservoir; and enough dimes will be in the coin reservoir 138 to keep the convex dimeengaging portion of the feeler 376 from entering that coin reservoir. As a result, the feeler 360 will be in the vertical position shown by FIG. 4, and the feeler 37d will be in a corresponding position. This means that the switch 334 will be in its normal tin-actuated position; and it means that the T-shaped wires 372 and 334 will, respectively, be displaced from, but will be in register with, the arcuate slots 143 and 137.

The forwardly-bent free end of the switch actuator 292 will be adjacent the upper end of the slot 294, as shown by FIG. 1. Similarly, the forwardly-bent free end of the switch actuator 29? will be adjacent the upper end of the slot 300.

If a dime is inserted, that dime will engage the forwardly-bent portion of the switch actuator 2%, will move that switch actuator downwardly, will release that switch actuator, and will then pass between the walls 393 and 3&5 to the coin reservoir 138. In moving the switch actuator 292 downwardly and in then releasing that switch actuator, the dime will enable the switch 290 to send an impulse to the vending machine with which the change-making device of FIG. 1 is used. In passing to the coin reservoir 138, that dime will replenish the supply of dimes within that coin reservoir. If that reservoir is full, that dime will pass to the accepted coin chute 136 and be directed to the cash box.

If a nickel is inserted, that nickel will be directed away from the forwardly-bent portion of the switch actuator 292 by a flipper in the slug rejector, not shown. That nickel will try to enter the coin reservoir 14%, and thereby replenish the supply of nickels in that reservoir; but if that reservoir is full, that nickel will pass to the accepted coin chute 136 and then to the cash box. If a second nickel is inserted, that second nickel will engage and move the forwardly-bent portion of the switch actuator 292. In moving that switch actuator downwardly and then releasing that switch actuator, the second nickel will cause the switch 290 to send an impulse to the vending machine with which the change-making device of FIG. 1 is used. That second nickel also will try to enter the coin reservoir 140 and thereby replenish the supply of nickels; but if that reservoir is full, that second nickel will pass to the accepted coin chute 136 and then to the cash box. It will be noted that whenever dimes or nickels are inserted, the switch 296 is not actuated.

When a quarter is inserted, that quarter will successively engage the forwardly-bent portions of the switch actuators 292 and 298 and then pass to the accepted coin chute 136. As the quarter moves the switch actuator 2% downwardly and releases it, it will cause the switch 290 to send an impulse to the vending machine with which the change-making device of FIG. 1 is used. As the quarter moves the switch actuator 298 down, it will enable that switch actuator to cause the switch 296 to energize the motor 239. As the switch actuator 298 is moved down close to the bottom of the slot 3%, by the quarter, the magnet 3% will attract and hold that switch actuator. As a result, the switch 2% will be able to g keep the motor 239 energized even though the quarter promptly passes beyond the switch actuator 298 and passes to the cash box.

The motor 239 will cause the output shaft thereof to rotate the cam on that shaft; and the spring 236 will then be able to rotate the lever 224 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2. That rotation will cause the coinejecting plate 188 to rotate toward the rear of the base 146; and the rotation of that plate will cause the nickel, lodged within the nickel-receiving opening 193 in that plate, to move beyond the rear edge of the bottom plate 214. That nickel will then fall into a chute which will conduct it to a cup-like receptacle at the exterior of the vending machine. That rotation of the coin-ejecting plate 188 also will cause the shoulder 2(1'4 to engage the dime which had been resting on the downwardly-olfset, coinreceiving area 2% of that plate and to force the leading edge of that dime against the free end 344 of the lever 340. The forces applied to the coin-ejecting plate 188 by the spring 236 will be great enough to enable the dime to force the lever 34%) to rotate upwardly about the pivot 16d; and hence the lower face of the free end 344 of that lever will rise upwardly and let the dime pass beneath it. That lower face will not move up any higher than the dime will make it move; and, consequently, the leading edge of the free end 344 of the lever 340 will be in position to block any tendency of the second lowermost dime to move with the lowermost dime. This is important because it is imperative that just one dime be paid out.

Further rotation of the coin-ejecting plate 133 will move the dime under the bottom face of the free end 344- of the feeler 340; and that bottom face will respond to the spring 356 to maintain a downward pressure on that dime. As the coin-ejecting plate 133 approaches the end of its rearward movement, the shoulder 294 will force the trailing edge of the dime to move beyond the free end 34 3 of the lever 34th; and, thereupon, the spring 355 will force the bottom face of the free end 344 of the lever downwardly against the downwardly-oifset narrow area 2% of the plate 188. At such time, the free end 344 of the lever 340 will be interposed between the trailing edge of the dime and the coin reservoir 133; and, also at such time, that dime will be disposed beyond the rear edge of the bottom plate 214. However, that dime will not be able to fall downwardly to the chute which could conduct it to the cup-like receptacle at the exterior of the vending machine, because that dime will be underlain by the downwardly-onset, coin-receiving area 2% on the plate 188.

Subsequently, the plate 183 will start moving back to its normal position; and as it does so the dime will tend to move with that plate, but the free end 344 of the lever 34!) will positively block any such tendency. The result is that the dime will remain stationary as the plate 13?) moves out from under it, and that dime will then drop downwardly and pass to the chute which will conduct it to the cup-like receptacle at the exterior of the vending machine. As the plate 18% moves out from under the dime, that dime will be confined against undesired lateral movement by the ridge 1.32 which is provided at the under surface of the base 146.

As the dime is stripped away from its position atop the downwardly-offset, coin-receiving area 2%, the cam on the output shaft of the motor 239 will act upon the lever 264i and cause that lever to rotate in the counter clockwise direction until the pin 28d thereon moves against the re-entrant bend 299 of the switch actuator 298 and forces that switch actuator upwardly and away from the magnet 3%. That movement of that actuator will not deenergize the motor 239, because another switch, not shown, will continue to supply current to that motor. As the cam on the output shaft of the motor 2339 continues to rotate, the lever 264 will return to its normal position and the motor 239 will rotate its output shaft to its homing position; and as that shaft reaches its homing position, that motor will become de-energized. In this way, the insertion of a quarter causes the switch 290 to send an impulse to the vending machine with which the change making device of FIG. 1 is used, and causes the switch 296 to energize the motor 239 and thereby enable that motor to initiate a cycle of operation of that changemaking device. It will be noted that during the rearward movement of the coin-ejecting plate 183, a nickel was paid out but a dime was not paid out; the lowermost dime being held atop the downwardly-offset, coin-receiving area 20! of the plate 138 during that movement. Only during the returning movement of the coin-ejecting plate 183 was the dime paid out; and that dime was paid out by being stripped off of the doWnwardly-ofiset, coin-receiving area 200 by the trailing edge of the free end 344 of the lever 340. It will also be noted that the downwardly-offset narrow area 206 of the plate 188 made it possible for the bottom of the free end 344 of the lever 340 to move down into position which it was squarely in the path of the dime as that dime tended to move with the plate 188 during the returning movement of that plate. As the lowermost nickels and dimes move relative to the second lowermost nickels and dimes, respectively, those nickels and dimes can, because their surfaces are not perfectly smooth, provide upward thrusts on the columns of coins held within the coin reservoirs 140 and 133. If those columns of coins were short enough so the bottom faces of the feelers 360 and 376 overlaid and engaged the uppermost coins in those coin reservoirs, upward thrusts would be applied to those feelers. Such upward thrusts are fully accommodated and are compensated for by the W-shaped spring 320 and the limited upward movement of the pivot 318 which that spring permits. Consequently,

destructive forces cannot be applied to the feelers 360 and 378 as nickels or dimes are paid out as change.

' Whenever the uppermost nickel in the coin reservoir 140 moves downwardly below the level of the lower edge of the nickel-engaging surface 369 of the feeler 360, the bottom face of that feeler will be able to move into position above that uppermost nickel. The counter weight 364 will then cause the feeler 360 to rotate in the counter clockwise direction from the position of FIG. 4 to a position comparable to that of FIG. 3; and as that feeler so rotates, the outwardly-projecting portions of the T-shaped wire 372 will move through the slot 143, the nickel-engaging surface 369 will move through the slot 141, the bottom surface will move into position above the lowermost nickel, and the ear 366 will move into engagement with the switch actuator 337 and thus actuate the switch 334. When a nickel is subsequently introduced into the When the vending machine with which the change-- making device of FIG. 1 is used is first put in service, the coin reservoir 140 will be empty and will have to have a full supply of nickels introduced into it. The first few nickels will engage and move past either the nickelengaging surface 369 or the outwardly-projecting portions of the T-shaped wire 372, and will thereby cause the feeler 360 to move to the position of FIG. 4 and then permit that feeler to return to a position comparable to that of FIG. 3. However, a subsequent nickel will engage either the nickel-engaging surface 369 or the outwardly-projecting portions of the T-shaped wire 372 to cause the feeler 360 to move to the position of FIG. 4, and will then tilt over on its side to block movement of that nickel-engaging surface back into the coin reservoir 140. Until that subsequent nickel is inserted, the switch 334 will not be held continuously in its normal position; but once that subsequent nickel has been so inserted, that switch will be so held.

If any nickel passed downwardly through the coin reservoir in such a way as to tend to come to rest on its edge in either of the spaces between the sides of the feeler 360 and the interior of the coin reservoir 141), that nickel would engage one or the other of the outwardly-projecting portions of the T-shaped wire 372 and force the feeler 360 to move to the position of FIG. 4; and, once that nickel had done so, that nickel would tilt over onto its side. In this way, inserted nickels are kept from coming to rest on their edges in either of the spaces between the sides of the feeler 360 and the interior of the coin reservoir 140; and hence improper positioning of nickels within that coin reservoir is avoided.

Whenever the uppermost dime in the coin reservoir 138 moves downwardly below the level of the lower edge of the dime-engaging surface 385 of the feeler 376, the bottom face of that feeler will be able to move into position above that uppermost dime. The counter weight 380 will then cause the feeler 376 to rotate in the clockwise direction from a position comparable to that of FIG. 4 to the position of FIG. 3; and as that feeler so rotates, the outwardly-projecting portions of the T-shaped wire 38-4 will move through the slot 137, the dime-engaging surface 385 will move through the slot 139, the bottom surface will move into position above the lowermost dime, and the ear 382 will move into engagement with the switch actuator 337 and thus actuate the switch 334. When a dime is subsequently introduced into the coin reservoir 138, either from the dime passageway or from a funnellike entrance, not shown, at the upper end of the coin reservoir 138, that dime will fall downwardly and will strike the T-shaped wire 384 or the dime-engaging surface 385 of the feeler 376. The weight of that dime will be great enough to move the feeler 376 to a position corresponding to that of FIG. 4; and, in that position, the feeler 376 will permit the switch actuator 337 to return to its normal position.

When the vending machine with which the changemaking device of FIG. 1 is used is first put in service, the coin reservoir 138 will be empty and will have to have a full supply of dimes introduced into it. The first few dimes will engage and move past the dime-engaging surface 385 or the outwardly-projecting portions of the T-shaped Wire 334, and will thereby cause the feeler 376 to move to a position comparable to that of FIG. 4 and then permit that feeler to return to the position of FIG. 3. However, a subsequent dime will engage either the dime-engaging surface 335 or the outwardly-projecting portions of the T-shaped Wire 3384 to cause the feeler 376 to move to a position comparable to that of FIG. 4, and will then tilt over on its side to block movement of that dimeengaging surface back into the coin reservoir 138. Until that subsequent dime is inserted, the switch 334 will not be held continuously in its normal position; but once that subsequent dime has been so inserted, that switch will be so held.

If any dime passed downwardly through the coin reservoir 138 in such a way as to tend to come to rest on its edge in either of the spaces between the sides of the feeler 376 and the interior of the coin reservoir 138, that dime would engage one or the other of the outwardlyprojecting portions of the T-shaped wire 384 and force the feeler 376 to move to a position comparable to that of FIG. 4; and, once that dime had done so, that dime would tilt over onto its side. In this way, inserted dimes are kept from coming to rest on their edges in either of the spaces between the sides of the feeler 376 and the interior of the coin reservoir 138; and hence improper positioning of dimes within that coin reservoir is avoided.

By providing the feelers 360 and 376, respectively, with the T-shaped wires 372 and 3M, and by providing the coin reservoir 14d) and 138, respectively, with the slots 143 and 137, the present invention enables those feelers to feel for the presence of coins within those coin reservoirs and also keeps coins in those coin reservoirs from moving down into positions where they can come to rest on their edges leaning against those feelers. Any coins moving downwardly into proximity to the feelers 366 or 376 will have to force the coin-engaging surfaces of those feelers out of the coin reservoirs, as by engaging those coinengaging surfaces or by engaging the T-shaped wires; and those coins will then be free to tilt over onto their sides.

Whereas the drawing and accompanying description have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form of the invention Without affecting the scope thereof.

What I claim is:

1. In a coin-dispensing device, a coin reservoir, a vertically-directed slot in said coin reservoir adjacent the lower end of said coin reservoir, an arcuate slot in said coin reservoir that extends outwardly from the opposite sides of said vertically-directed slot and that starts at a point approximately midway between the upper and lower ends of said vertically-directed slot and then curves upwardly, a pivot adjacent said coin reservoir, a coin feeler that is rotatably mounted on said pivot and that has a horizontally-directed ear, an empty switch adjacent said coin reservoir, said switch having an actuator which is adjacent said coin feeler and which is adapted to be moved by said ear on said coin feeler, said coin feeler having a portion thereof that is in register with said vertically-directed slot and that is selectively movable into said coin reservoir through said vertically-directed slot, said portion of said coin feeler having a convex coinengaging surface and also having a convex bottom surface, said coin feeler having a counter Weight thereon which biases said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon inwardly of said vertically-directed slot and which biases said ear toward said switch actuator, part of said coin-engaging surface extending into said coin reservoir a distance greater than one half the inner diameter of said coin reservoir whenever said coin reservoir is empty, said coin-engaging surface being adapted to be engaged by coins moving downwardly through said coin reservoir whenever said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon are in said coin reservoir and to be moved outwardly of said vertically-directed slot by said coins, said car on said coin feeler moving away from said switch actuator as said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon are moved outwardly of said vertically-directed slot by said coins, said counter weight on said coin feeler being adapted to move said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon into said coin reservoir through said vertically-directed slot and to move said ear toward said switch actuator whenever the supply of coins within said coin reservoir falls below the level of the lower edge of said coin-engaging surface, and a wire-like coin-intercepting projection on said portion of said coin feeler that is adjacent but is spaced outwardly from said coin-engaging surface and that extends transversely of said portion of said coin feeler and that projects beyond both sides of said coin-engaging surface and that keeps coins from moving downwardly in said coin reservoir and resting on edge in the spaces between said sides of said coinengaging surface and the interior of said coin reservoir, said wire-like coin-intercepting projection being flexible, said wire-like coin-intercepting projection on said portion of said coin feeler being in register with and being movable into said arcuate slot as said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon move inwardly of said vertically-directed slot and being adapted to substantially span the spaces between said sides of said portion of said coin feeler and said interior of said coin reservoir, said wire-like coin-intercepting projecton moving outwardly of said arcuate slot as said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon move outwardly of said vertically-directed slot.

2. In a coin-dispensing device, a coin reservoir, a slot in said coin reservoir adjacent the lower end of said coin reservoir, an arcuate slot in said coin reservoir that extends outwardly from the opposite sides of the first said slot and that starts at a point between the upper and lower ends of the first said slot and that curves upwardly, a pivot adjacent said coin reservoir, a coin feeler that is rotatably mounted on said pivot, an empty switch adjacent said coin reservoir, said switch having an actuator which is adjacent said coin feeler and which is adapted to be moved by said coin feeler, said coin feelor having a portion thereof that is in register with the first said slot and that is selectively movable into said coin reservoir through the first said slot, said portion of said coin feeler having a convex coin-engaging surface and also having a convex bottom surface, said coin feeler being biased to move said portion and the said coinengaging surface thereon inwardly of the first said slot and being biased toward said switch actuator, said coinengaging surface being adapted to be engaged and moved by coins moving downwardly through said coin reservoir whenever said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon are in said coin reservoir and to be moved outwardly of the first said slot by said coins, said coin feeler moving away from said switch actuator as said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon move outwardly of the first said slot, said coin feeler being adapted to have said portion and the said coin-engaging surface thereon move into said coin reservoir through the first said slot and thereby being adapted to move said switch actuator whenever the supply of coins within said coin reservoir falls below the level of the lower edge of said coin-engaging surface, and a Wire-like coin-intercepting projection on said portion of said coin feeler that is adjacent said coinengaging surface and that extends transversely of said coin feeler and that projects beyond both sides of said coin-engaging surface and that keeps coins from moving downwardly in said coin reservoir and resting on edge in the spaces between said sides of said coin-engaging surface and the interior of said coin reservoir, said wire-like coin-intercepting projection being flexible, said wire-like coin-intercepting projection on said portion of said coin feeler being in register with and being movable into said arcuate slot as said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon move inwardly of the first said slot and being adapted to substantially span the spaces between said coin-engaging portion and said interior of said coin reservoir, said wire-like coin-intercepting projection moving outwardly of said arcuate slot as said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon move outwardly of the first said slot.

3. In a coin-dispensing device, a coin reservoir, a slot in said coin reservoir, a second slot in said coin reservoir that extends outwardly from the opposite sides of the first said slot and that starts at a point between the upper and lower ends of the first said slot, a coin feeler that is adjacent and is movable relative to said coin reservoir, an empty switch adjacent said coin reservoir, said switch having an actuator which is adjacent said coin feeler and which is adapted to be moved by said coin feeler, said coin feeler having a portion thereof that is in register with the first said slot and that is selectively movable into said coin reservoir through the first said slot, said portion of said coin feeler having a coin-engaging surface, part of said coin-engaging surface extending into said coin reservoir a distance greater than one half the inner diameter of said coin reservoir whenever said coin reservoir is empty, said coin-engaging surface being adapted to be engaged and moved by coins moving downwardly through said coin reservoir whenever said portion of said coin feeler and the said coinengaging surface thereon are in said coin reservoir and to be moved outwardly of the first said slot by said coins, said coin feeler moving away from said switch actuator as said portion of said coin feeler and the said coinengaging surface thereon move outwardly of the first said slot, said coin feeler being adapted to-have said portion and the said coin-engaging surface move into said coin reservoir through the first said slot and thereby being adapted to move said switch actuator whenever the supply of coins within said coin reservoir falls below the level of the lower edge of said coin-engaging surface, and a coin-intercepting projection on said portion of said coin feeler that extends transversely of said portion of said coin feeler and that keeps coins from moving downwardly in said coin reservoir and resting on edge in the spaces between said coin feeler and the interior of said coin reservoir, said coin-intercepting projection on said portion of said coin feeler being in register with and being movable into said second slot as said portion of said coin feeler and thesaid coin-engaging surface thereon move inwardly of the first said slot and being adapted to substantially span the spaces between said portion of said coin feeler and said interior of said coin reservoir.

4. In a coin-dispensing device, a coin reservoir, a slot in said coin reservoir, a second slot in said coin reservoir that is contiguous with the first said slot, a coin feeler that is adjacent and is movable relative to said coin reservoir, an empty switch adjacent said coin reservoir, said switch having an actuator which is adjacent said coin feeler and which is adapted to be moved by said coin feeler, said coin feeler having a portion thereof that is in register with the first said slot and that is selectively movable into said coin reservoir through the first said slot, said portion of said coin feeler having a convex bottom surface, said coin-engaging surface being adapted to be engaged and moved by coins moving downwardly through said coin reservoir whenever said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon are in said coin reservoir and to be moved outwardly of the first said slot by said coins, said coin feeler moving away from said switch actuator as said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon are moved outwardly of the first said slot by said coins, said coin feeler being adapted to have said portion and the said coin-engaging surface thereon move into said coin reservoir through the first said slot and thereby being adapted to move said switch actuator whenever the supply of coins within said coin reservoir falls below a predetermined level, and a coin-intercepting projection on said portion of said coin feeler that extends transversely of said portion of said coin feeler and that keeps coins from moving downwardly in said coin reservoir and resting on edge in the spaces between the sides of said portion of said coin feeler and the interior of said coin reservoir, said coin-intercepting projecting on said portion of said coin feeler being in register with and being movable into said second slot as said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon move inwardly of the first said slot, said coin-intercepting projection moving outwardly of said second slot as said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon move outwardly of the first said slot, said coin-intercept ing projection being adjacent but spaced outwardly of said coin-engaging surface.

5. In a coin-dispensing device, a coin reservoir, a slot in said coin reservoir, a second slot in said coin reservoir that is contiguous with the first said slot, a coin feeler that is adjacent and movable relative to said coin reservoir, an empty switch adjacent said coin reservoir, said switch having an actuator which is adjacent said coin feeler and which is adapted to be moved by said coin feeler, said coin feeler having a portion thereof that is in register with the first said slot and that selectively movable into said coin reservoir through the first said slot, said portion of said coin feeler having a co engaging surface and a convex bottom surface, said coin-engaging surface being adapted to be engaged and moved by coins moving downwardly through said coin reservoir whenever said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon are in said coin reservoir and to be moved outwardly of the first said slot by said coins, said coin feeler moving away from said svvitch actuator as said portion of said feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon are moved outwardly of the first said slot by said coins, said coin feeler being adapted to have said portion and the said coin-engaging surface thereon move into said coin reservoir through the first said slot and thereby being adapted to move said switch actuator whenever the supply of coins within said coin reservoir falls below a predeterniined level, and a coin-intercepting projection on said portion of said coinfeeler that extends transversely of said portion of said coin feeler and that keeps coins from moving downwardly in said coin reservoir and resting on edge in the spaces between the sides of said portion of said coin feeler and the interior of said coin reservoir, said coin-intercepting projection on said portion of coin feeler being in register with and being movable into said second slot as said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon move inwardly of the first said slot, said coin-intercepting promoving outwardly of said second slot as said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon move outwardly or the first said slot, said coin-intercepting projection being adjacent said coin-engaging surfaoe and projecting outwardly beyond both sides of said portion of said coin feeler, said ooin-intercepting projection substantially spanning the distances between the sides of said portion of said coin feeler and the interior of said coin reservoir, part of said coin-em gaging surface extending into said coin reservoir a distan-0e greater than one half the inner diameter of said ooin reservoir whenever said coin reservoir is empty.

6. In a coin dispensing device, a coin reservoir, a slot in said coin reservoir, a second slot in said coin reservoir that is contiguous with the first said slot, a coin [feeler that is adjacent and is movable relative to said coin reservoir, an empty switch adjacent said coin reservoir, said switch having an actuator which is adjacent said coin. feeler and which adapted to be moved by said coin feeler, said coin feeler having a portion thereof that is in register with the first said slot and that is selectively movable into said coin reservoir through the first said slot, said portion of said coin feeler having a convex bottom surface, said coin-engaging surface being adapted to be engaged and moved by coins moving downwardly through said coin reservoir whenever said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon are in said coin reservoir and tobe moved outwardly of the first said slot by said coins, said coin feeler moving away from said switch actuator as said portion of said coin feeler and the said coin-engaging surface thereon are moved outwardly of the first said slot by said coins, said coin feeler being adapted to have said portion and the said coin-engaging surface thereon move into said coin reservoir through the first said slot and thereby being adapted to move said switch actuator whenever the supply of coins within said coin reservoir [falls below a predetermined levei, and a coin-intercepting projection on said portion of said coin feel-er that extends transversely of said portion of said coin feeler and that keeps coins from moving downwardly insaid ooin reservoir and resting on edge in the spaces between the sides of said portion of said coin feeler and the in tenior or said coin reservoir, said coin-intercepting pro- 15 jeotion on said portion of said coin feeler being in regisnor with and being movable into said second slot as said portion of saidcoin feeler and The said coin-engaging surface mhereon move inwardly of the first said slot, said coin-intercepting projection moving outwardly of said second slot as said portion of said 00in fee-lea and the said coin-engaging surface thereon move outwardly of the first said slot, said win-intercepting projection being wire-like andspanning the spaces between the sides of said por- 1 5 tion of said eodn healer and said interior of said coin reservoir.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,567,900 Winkler Sept. 11, 1951 2,585,718 Adams Feb. 12, 1952 2,640,575 Piano June 2, 1953 2,732,054 Hehn Jan. 24, 1956 

5. IN A COIN-DISPENSING DEVICE, A COIN RESERVOIR, A SLOT IN SAID COIN RESERVOIR, A SECOND SLOT IN SAID COIN RESERVOIR THAT IS CONTIGUOUS WITH THE FIRST SAID SLOT, A COIN FEELER THAT IS ADJACENT AND IS MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID COIN RESERVOIR, AN EMPTY SWITCH ADJACENT SAID COIN RESERVOIR, SAID SWITCH HAVING AN ACTUATOR WHICH IS ADJACENT SAID COIN FEELER AND WHICH IS ADAPTED TO BE MOVED BY SAID COIN FEELER, SAID COIN FEELER HAVING A PORTION THEREOF THAT IS IN REGISTER WITH THE FIRST SAID SLOT AND THAT IS SELECTIVELY MOVABLE INTO SAID COIN RESERVOIR THROUGH THE FIRST SAID SLOT, SAID PORTION OF SAID COIN FEELER HAVING A COIN-ENGAGING SURFACE AND A CONVEX BOTTOM SURFACE, SAID COIN-ENGAGING SURFACE BEING ADAPTED TO BE ENGAGED AND MOVED BY COINS MOVING DOWNWARDLY THROUGH SAID COIN RESERVOIR WHENEVER SAID PORTION OF SAID COIN FEELER AND THE SAID COIN-ENGAGING SURFACE THEREON ARE IN SAID COIN RESERVOIR AND TO BE MOVED OUTWARDLY OF THE FIRST SAID SLOT BY SAID COINS, SAID COIN FEELER MOVING AWAY FROM SAID SWITCH ACTUATOR AS SAID PORTION OF SAID COIN FEELER AND THE SAID COIN-ENGAGING SURFACE THEREON ARE MOVED OUTWARDLY OF THE FIRST SAID SLOT BY SAID COINS, SAID COIN FEELER BEING ADAPTED TO HAVE SAID PORTION AND THE SAID COIN-ENGAGING SURFACE THEREON MOVE INTO SAID COIN RESERVOIR THROUGH THE FIRST SAID SLOT AND THEREBY BEING ADAPTED TO MOVE SAID SWITCH ACTUATOR WHENEVER THE SUPPLY OF COINS WITHIN SAID COIN RESERVOIR FALLS BELOW A PREDETERMINED LEVEL, AND A COIN-INTERCEPTING PROJECTION ON SAID PORTION OF SAID COIN FEELER THAT EXTENDS TRANSVERSELY OF SAID PORTION OF SAID COIN FEELER AND THAT KEEPS COINS FROM MOVING DOWNWARDLY IN SAID COIN RESERVOIR AND RESTING ON EDGE IN THE SPACES BETWEEN THE SIDES OF SAID PORTION OF SAID COIN FEELER AND THE INTERIOR OF SAID COIN RESERVOIR, SAID COIN-INTERCEPTING PROJECTION ON SAID PORTION OF SAID COIN FEELER BEING IN REGISTER WITH AND BEING MOVABLE INTO SAID SECOND SLOT AS SAID PORTION OF SAID COIN FEELER AND THE SAID COIN-ENGAGING SURFACE THEREON MOVE INWARDLY OF THE FIRST SAID SLOT, SAID COIN-INTERCEPTING PROJECTION MOVING OUTWARDLY OF SAID SECOND SLOT AS SAID PORTION OF SAID COIN FEELER AND THE SAID COIN-ENGAGING SURFACE THEREON MOVE OUTWARDLY OF THE FIRST SAID SLOT, SAID COIN-INTERCEPTING PROJECTION BEING ADJACENT SAID COIN-ENGAGING SURFACE AND PROJECTING OUTWARDLY BEYOND BOTH SIDES OF SAID PORTION OF SAID COIN FEELER, SAID COIN-INTERCEPTING PROJECTION SUBSTANTIALLY SPANNING THE DISTANCES BETWEEN THE SIDES OF SAID PORTION OF SAID COIN FEELER AND THE INTERIOR OF SAID COIN RESERVOIR, PART OF SAID COIN-ENGAGING SURFACE EXTENDING INTO SAID COIN RESERVOIR A DISTANCE GREATER THAN ONE HALF THE INNER DIAMETER OF SAID COIN RESERVOIR WHENEVER SAID COIN RESERVOIR IS EMPTY. 